Nima Jean Bowden

Bernards Regional Medical Center on March 31, 2009.

Jean was born Sept. 28, 1927, to the late Clyde and Myrtle (Noel) Johnson in Paragould, Ark.

She was a faithful member of the Rector First Baptist Church for 50 years and worked at Ark Mo Power for over 30 years. She and her husband were also owners of the Mobil Oil Company in Rector.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Houston Bowden; two brothers, J.W. Johnson and Delano Johnson, and two sisters, Helen Penny and Dorotha Gilliam.

She is survived by one son and his wife, Houston and Nita Bowden of

Rector; one daughter and her husband, Sandra and Merle Hawkins of

Jacksonville, Fla.; one grandson, Cody Moore; one brother, Delbert

Johnson of Texas, and four sisters, Frances Petropoulos of Texas, Fay

Humphrey of Marion, Ark., Betty Nichols of Texas and Wanda Bonney of

Texas.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at the First Baptist

Church in Rector with Brother Ardell Polk officiating. Interment was in the Greene County Memorial Gardens in Paragould. Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the Irby Funeral Home.

Those who wish may sign the online guest book at www.irbyfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rector.